Comforter with removable pouch for pets

ABSTRACT

An article of bedding, such as a comforter or a duvet cover, includes an integrated pet pouch into which pets can sleep on top of the bed sheets of their owner. The pouch can include a detachable and washable liner for easy clean up. The pouch also encourages the pet to sleep safely in a designated spot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/654,055, filed May 31, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pet accessories and, more particularly, to a pouch encased within a comforter or duvet cover for human beds in which small to medium size dogs or other pets can sleep.

Companion animals, such as cats and dogs, often like to sleep underneath the bed sheets or blankets of their owner. This can disrupt sleep and track dirt and dander into the bed sheets and or blankets. The placement of a separate bed or blanket for the pet can help, but such items do not provide for a clean, “made” look for the bed when not in use.

As can be seen, there is a need for a designated sleeping area for pets that may be easily detached and cleaned as needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an article of bedding adapted to cover a user positioned in bed comprises a pouch formed integrally with a portion of the article of bedding; an inner cavity accessible from along one edge of the pouch; and one or more fasteners for selectively opening and closing access to the inner cavity.

In another aspect of the present invention, an article of bedding adapted to cover a user positioned in bed comprises a pouch formed integrally with a portion of the article of bedding; an inner cavity accessible from along one edge of the pouch; a plurality of male and female snaps for selectively opening and closing access to the inner cavity; and a removable liner disposed in the pouch, wherein the liner is secured inside the pouch with one or more liner fasteners.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of bedding having an integrated pet pouch, in use on a bed, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bedding of FIG. 1, removed from the bed;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view taken along a portion of line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view illustrating opening of the pet pouch;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bedding of FIG. 1, illustrating removal of a pet pouch liner; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an article of bedding, such as a comforter or a duvet cover, that includes an integrated pet pouch into which pets can sleep on top of the bed sheets of their owner. The pouch can include a detachable and washable liner for easy clean up. The pouch also encourages the pet to sleep safely in a designated spot.

When someone sleeps with their pet or pets, the pet or pets sometimes like to burrow under the comforter. The bedding of the present invention offers a fabric pouch at a designated area that is for the pet to go in and out of, instead of going under the comforter or sheets. The access to the pouch is on the outside of the comforter. The pouch can be made of a material that is comfortable and desirable for the pet. In some embodiments, the pouch is removable by simply unzipping it, allowing it to be washed separately from the comforter.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 8, an article of bedding 14, such as a comforter or a duvet cover, for example, can include a lower surface 14B and an upper surface 14A. A pouch 16 can be formed in the bedding 14 to provide an inner cavity 26 for a pet 12 to rest. The pouch 16 is typically formed at a user's 10 foot end of the bedding 14, as shown in FIG. 1, however, the pouch 16 can be formed in various locations in the bedding 14. While a single pouch 16 is shown, multiple pouches can be provided, or stitching can be formed in the pouch to divide it into separate chambers to provide separate inner cavities 26 for multiple pets.

Access to the inner cavity 26 is typically formed along one edge of the pouch 16. This access can be selectively opened and closed via a fastener, such as a female snap 18 and a male snap 20, buttons, or the like. The fasteners may be closed when not in use, where the pouch 16 can be substantially hidden, allowing the bedding 14 to look like a clean, made bed when the pouch is not in use. The upper surface 14B of the bedding 14 can be disposed over the pouch 16, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2, to help hide the presence of the pouch 16 when not in use.

While the drawings show the pouch 16 and bedding 14 as having a particular thickness, various thicknesses can used for the various components of the bedding of the present invention.

A liner 22 can be placed inside the pouch 16 that may be removed by the user and washed separate from the bedding 14. The liner 22 can be held in place in various ways inside the pouch. For example, a zipper 24 can be used to secure the liner 22 inside the pouch 16. In other embodiments, snaps, buttons, button snaps, hook and loop fastener, fabric magnets, hooks and eyes, or the like, can be used to secure the liner 22 inside the pouch 16.

To make the bedding 14 of the present invention, the fabric, typically cotton or linen fabric, for example, can be cut to dimensions needed for the desired mattress size. Thread can be used to sew the seams of the upper and lower portions of the fabric. To create a comforter, Poly-fil batting can be used and cut to size needed, less the area of the designated pouch space. Thread can be used to attach the poly-fil batting to the fabric. To create a duvet cover batting will not be used. Other methods may be used to create the comforter/duvet to add the pouch thereto.

The pouch can be created by cutting fabric, such as fleece fabric, to a designated pouch size. The pouch can be sewn together with thread, for example. In some embodiments, the pouch can be sewn in permanently with thread. In other embodiments, the pouch can be detachable. The detachable pouch can use elastic cord and buttons, for example, to secure the pouch to the comforter or duvet. The elastic cord can be sewn with thread onto the pouch corners, for example, for attachment to buttons. The buttons can be sewn with thread to the fabric used for the comforter/duvet.

The size of the pouch can be made in various sizes. The pouch can also be designed for entry from the side or from the head end of the bed. The fabrics of the pouch and/or the comforter/duvet may be made of various material, including those described above and others.

The pouch of the present invention may be designed to attach to an existing comforter or duvet. Along these lines, the pouch may be designed as a travel pouch which can be added to any human bedding. Such a travel pouch can be useful in hotels or for a vacationing family, for example.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of bedding adapted to cover a user positioned in bed, comprising: a pouch formed integrally with a portion of the article of bedding; an inner cavity accessible from along one edge of the pouch; and one or more fasteners for selectively opening and closing access to the inner cavity.
 2. The article of bedding of claim 1, wherein the pouch is formed at a foot end of the article of bedding.
 3. The article of bedding of claim 1, wherein the one or more fasteners include a plurality of male and female snaps.
 4. The article of bedding of claim 1, further comprising a liner disposed in the pouch.
 5. The article of bedding of claim 4, wherein the liner is removable.
 6. The article of bedding of claim 5, wherein the liner is secured inside the pouch with one or more liner fasteners.
 7. The article of bedding of claim 6, wherein the liner is secured inside the pouch with a zipper.
 8. The article of bedding of claim 1, further comprising an upper part of the article of bedding covering the pouch such that the pouch is not visible when the article of bedding is disposed in a made bed.
 9. An article of bedding adapted to cover a user positioned in bed, comprising: a pouch formed integrally with a portion of the article of bedding; an inner cavity accessible from along one edge of the pouch; a plurality of male and female snaps for selectively opening and closing access to the inner cavity; and a removable liner disposed in the pouch, wherein the liner is secured inside the pouch with one or more liner fasteners.
 10. The article of bedding of claim 9, wherein the liner is secured inside the pouch with a zipper. 